Douluo: Martial Soul of Lightning

"Champions? You lot think you can be champions? What a joke. Like toads dreaming of eating swan meat."

A mocking voice rang out from behind.

Hearing the voice, Lin Jie and the others turned to look in its direction.

Coincidentally, it was a group they recognized—students from Canghui Academy (Blue Sunshine Academy), whom they had encountered outside Star Dou Forest. They were dressed in the same pale moon-colored spirit master robes as before, embroidered with the bold characters for "Canghui," only now their uniforms had been adorned with silver thread, making them appear more ornate and flashy.

Being called a toad enraged Tai Long, who had a fiery temper to begin with. He was the first to leap up, roaring, "Who the hell are you calling a toad?!"

"Whoever replies is obviously who I meant," the twenty-something student from Canghui Academy said with a smirk, glancing at his companions.

"Haha, exactly. If the shoe fits…"

"Toads dreaming of swans, what a sight!"

The students from Canghui Academy burst into loud laughter.

Tai Long's anger boiled over at their jeers. He clenched his fists and charged forward. "I'll show you right now who's the real toad here!"

Before he could throw a punch, Tang San's calm voice rang out. "Stand down, Tai Long."

Tai Long, who had always obeyed Tang San, paused reluctantly and turned back, frustration written across his face. "But Third Young Master, I—"

Lin Jie had always followed a simple principle: don't cause trouble, but don't back down when it comes to you. Since these guys had chosen to provoke them, he had no reason to endure it.

With a cold smile, he said, "Talking trash won't get you anywhere. If you want to fight, we'll see you in the arena. As for you lot barking like strays, which kennel did you escape from? Didn't your owner leash you properly?"

Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong couldn't help but chuckle at that, giggling behind their hands.

"Who are you calling a dog?!" Several of the Canghui students clearly lacked self-control and immediately surrounded them, their expressions darkening.

Dai Mubai, who had never liked Canghui Academy to begin with, stepped forward. "Whoever's barking is the dog. And clearly, you're a pack of wild ones. We may not be allowed to fight here, but self-defense is perfectly reasonable. I wouldn't mind sending a few strays back to their cages."

Canghui's students were just about to lash out when a cold voice called from behind them, "What do you all think you're doing?"

At the sound of that voice, the students from Canghui Academy instantly turned around. Their aggressive expressions shifted into fawning smiles.

An elderly man in his sixties walked up, dressed in the same pale moon robes—but with gold embroidery marking his higher status.

Flender, who had been watching from the side, frowned the moment he saw the old man. His eyes narrowed slightly. So it's him...

"Let's go." The old man said nothing more. The students from Canghui Academy hesitated briefly but didn't dare disobey and quickly followed behind him.

Flender muttered, "Didn't expect that old fox to end up at Canghui Academy. Their students this year might be trouble."

Ma Hongjun scratched his head and asked curiously, "Dean, do you know that guy?"

"His name is Shi Nian. His Martial Soul is... special. It's an illusion-type with no physical form—it can cast all kinds of mental illusions. People caught in them slowly destroy themselves, unable to tell what's real or fake. Don't let his gentle appearance fool you—he's a petty, vengeful man. Back when I met him, he was already above Rank 60. Judging by now, he's probably reached the Spirit Sage level."

Everyone from Shrek was stunned. They had never encountered a Martial Soul like that before. If they had to face it in battle, they weren't sure how they'd even counter it.

"Formless but substantial…" Lin Jie murmured thoughtfully. Shi Nian's Martial Soul reminded him somewhat of his own. Although his thunder-based Martial Soul could take various forms through willpower, it too was a kind of substance without defined shape—thunder and lightning weren't something tangible either.

"Alright, enough of that. Time to get ready. I'll be watching from the stands—don't let me down." Flender waved and didn't wait for a reply, quickly striding away.

Shortly after, tournament staff came to inform the remaining participants that it was time to enter the arena.

Unsurprisingly, Shrek Academy was notified last, clearly showing they weren't favored by the organizers.

Still, when they finally stepped into the tournament grounds, the spectacle before them left even the most seasoned members awestruck.

A colossal stadium over 300 meters in diameter, filled with thunderous cheers from spectators packed around the edge. The main stage gleamed with gold at the front, while the VIP viewing platform stood tall behind it, elevated and ornate. Each academy's entrance was accompanied by a formal introduction from the emcee.

As the Shrek group stepped into their assigned area, the emcee's voice rang out, echoing through the arena:

"Our final team to enter the stage—Shrek Academy. Formerly known as Blue Tyrant Academy, they officially changed their name one year ago. This team consists of twelve participants. Their motto? 'Champions Without Rivals.' At first glance, they may seem ordinary, but such a bold motto tells us they're anything but. Let's look forward to what surprises they may bring!"

With Shrek Academy's entry, all teams had officially arrived.

Lin Jie swept his eyes across the massive arena before him, his gaze finally settling on the VIP platform—where he spotted a few familiar figures.

Seated in the center, dressed in a regal gold and red robe and wearing a diamond-studded imperial crown, was a man whose dignified features radiated authority. Lin Jie had never seen him before, but it was obvious—he was none other than the Emperor of the Heaven Dou Empire.

To the Emperor's right sat Ning Fengzhi, Ning Rongrong's father, dressed in a moon-white robe and wearing the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Crown, the symbol of his status as sect master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. As one of the three upper sects, Ning Fengzhi was certainly qualified to sit in this position.

To the Emperor's left was a skinny old man in a crimson robe and white-gold crown—Platinum Bishop Salas of the Spirit Hall.

Within the Spirit Hall, the supreme leader was Pope Bibi Dong, and beneath her were four Platinum Bishops. Salas was one of them, and also the head of the Spirit Hall's branch temple in Heaven Dou City. His status was formidable, and his strength even more so.

As Lin Jie glanced around, his gaze happened to meet Ning Fengzhi's. The sect master smiled faintly and nodded toward him.

Ning Fengzhi held great appreciation for Lin Jie. Not only had he helped evolve Ning Rongrong's Martial Soul into the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, but he had also gifted them a batch of powerful spirit power grenades during the past six months. At first, Ning Fengzhi had insisted on compensating Lin Jie—but eventually, perhaps realizing something, he accepted the gift.

And why had Lin Jie offered such a generous gift?

Simple. He had already completely taken Ning Rongrong as his woman—how could he not give her father a proper show of sincerity?

Over the past six months, Lin Jie and Tang San had visited the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan a few times. Tang San was there to negotiate a deal for hidden weapons. Lin Jie? He was just delivering his "apology gifts." Thankfully, Ning Rongrong hadn't come along, or who knew what her father might have noticed?